1869.] THE ROSE. 9 



in winter, from 1 to 2 gallons to eacli tree ; December and January- 

 are the best months : the soil need not be stirred till spring, and then 

 merely loosened 2 or 3 inches deep with the prongs of a fork. For 

 poor soils, and on lawns, previously removing the turf, this will be 

 found most efficacious. Brewers' grains also form an excellent surface- 

 dressing ; they should be laid in a heap two or three weeks to ferment, 

 and one or two large shovelfuls placed round each plant, with some 

 peat-charcoal to deodorise them, as the smell is not agreeable." 



I will quote in alphabetical sequence the other distinguished public 

 Rosarians, who have expressed their opinions, or proved their skill at 

 all events, in the matter. These are Mr Cant of Colchester ; Mr 

 Cranston of Hereford ; Mr Francis of Hertford ; Mr Keynes of Salis- 

 bury; Mr Lane of Berkhampstead ; Mr Mitchell of Piltsdown ; Mr 

 George Paul, the representative of Messrs Paul & Son, Cheshunt ; 

 Mr William Paul, Waltham Cross ; Mr Perkins of Coventry (a new 

 but successful exhibitor) ; Mr Turner of Slough, and Messrs Wood of 

 Maresfield. There is, of course, a very large number of other nursery- 

 men, who grow Roses most extensively and in their fullest perfection — 

 such as Smith of Worcester, the two firms of Dickson at Chester, 

 Harrison of Darlington, Frettingham of Nottingham, &c. — one or more 

 near all our cities and towns ; but I have selected those who are our 

 principal prizemen, and whose treatises and catalogues are before 

 me. 



Mr Cant says : — '' In planting Roses, a hole should be made about 18 

 inches deep, and large enough to contain half a wheelbarrowful of 

 compost ; two-thirds of this should be strong turfy loam, and one- 

 third well-decomposed animal manure. These should be thoroughly 

 mixed together." 



Mr Cranston writes in his ' Cultural Directions for the Rose,' which 

 may be followed by amateurs with a sure confidence : — " I have found, 

 after repeated trials for some years, that pig-dung is the best of all 

 manures for Roses ; next night-soil, cow-dung, and horse-dung. These 

 should stand in a heap from one to three months, but not sufficiently 

 long to become exhausted of their ammonia and salts. Pig -dung 

 should be put on the ground during winter or early spring, and forked 

 in at once. In using night-soil, mix with burnt earth, sand, charcoal- 

 dust, or other dry substance. Apply a small portion of the mixture 

 to each plant or bed during winter, and let it be forked in at once. 

 Soot is a good manure, especially for the Tea-scented and other Roses 

 on their own roots ; so are wood-ashes and charcoal. Bone-dust or 

 half-inch bones forms an excellent and most lasting manure. Guano 

 and superphosphate of lime are both good manure for Roses, but 

 require to be used cautiously." 



